BURLINGTONBY ARMANDO MACHADO
More than 200 migrant workers from the three Sakuma berry fields have walked off the job three times since July 11, and the Hispanic ministry at St. Charles Parish has devised a plan to provide the workers and their families with food and household essentials in the event that an extensive walkout occurs.
Talks between Sakuma representatives and leaders among the migrant workers continued this week, but have been on and off.
Jose Ortiz, who coordinates the Tri-Parish Food Bank at St. Charles, said the ministry is also helping provide moral support to the migrant families. Ortiz said those who have walked out are piecemeal workers frustrated initially with what they believed was the unjust firing of a fellow worker on July 11. The fired worker was allowed to return to work within days.
Other grievances included low wages and housing conditions, and those issues remain unresolved, Ortiz said. Part of the issue is the piecemeal workers' concern with a Sakuma plan to bring in “guest worker” employees later this summer — employees who evidently would receive higher pay under the federal program, Ortiz said.
“They met here at St. Charles and we provided them with a meal; they had two meetings and elected 12 leaders, and they negotiated with Sakuma,” Ortiz said last week of the piecemeal workers. “We did what we normally do: provide food, meals, moral support and prayers.”
He said the migrant workers received advice about their rights from secular advocate groups based in Skagit and Whatcom counties. “We just hope that they could find a resolution to this,” Ortiz said. “I think a lot of good things will happen; good things will come from this.”
According to local news reports, Sakuma representatives say the workers’ wages and housing conditions meet state standards. Ortiz and others say that is the point — that there should be better standards. He said changes need to be made at the state level, noting that concerned residents should contact lawmakers, since the problems faced by migrant farmworkers are statewide, not just in the Skagit Valley.
Ramon Torres is one of the elected leaders among the migrant workers. “We are very grateful for their support,” Torres said Wednesday of the meals and moral support being provided the Hispanic ministry at St. Charles. Torres said he and his fellow workers are also thankful for the advice they’ve been receiving from the secular advocate groups.
July 25, 2013